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Posted August 14, 2013; 05:00 p.m.

by Staff

P. James Peebles, Princeton University's Albert Einstein Professor of Science, Emeritus, and professor of physics, emeritus, was among three researchers to share the 2013 Dirac Medal presented by the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics. The researchers were recognized for their contributions to understanding the early universe, galaxy formation and black holes. Peebles was one of the first scientists to predict the existence of the cosmic microwave background — the afterglow of the theorized Big Bang that created our universe — and to study its implications for the development and evolution of the universe. He also has made major contributions to all areas of cosmology, including nucleosynthesis, dark matter, dark energy and structure formation. Presented in honor of English physicist Paul Dirac, the medal is awarded to scientists who have made significant contributions to theoretical physics, and includes a $5,000 prize.